Travel News April/May 2022
SUSTAINABILITY
21 SUSTAINABILITY SPECIAL
TOP WALKS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
1. Divis, County Antrim
There are a few loops marked out at Divis, all providing panoramic views of Belfast. Try them for sunset and sunrise where golden hour highlights the trees and beautiful surroundings of black mountain.
Sustainability has an impact on everything we do- From day to day living, to the lives of future generations. Society’s focus has shifted to our every-changing world, as has the thoughts of travellers and their providers...
2. Cavehill, County Antrim Arguably one of the most famous walks in Northern Ireland, it’s easy to see why when you reach the top of Napoleons Nose. Overlooking Belfast Harbour down to the coastline to Whitehead and Kilroot Power station, you can also see across to Holywood, Scrabo Tower and the Mournes.
3. Lagan Tow Path, County Antrim Starting at Stranmillis Village, the Lagan
Tow Path follows the River Lagan all the way to Lisburn, crossing Mary Peters Track, Lady Dixon Park, Hilden Brewery and Belvoir Golf Club. A relaxing and scenic walk along the river for all ages.
Havila Voyages Celebrate Sustainability Accolade
DURING the Ocean Leadership Conference at this years Nor-Shipping event in Oslo on Monday April 4th, was Havila Voyages’ ship “Havila Capella” announced as the winner of The Next Generation Ship Award. The ships groundbreaking technology allows her to sail with zero emissions. The award honours a ship project demonstrating the greatest advances and innovation in design with respect to energy efficiency, suitability & flexibility, technology utilisation, safety & security, and environmental sustainability for the coming decade. The vessel has been designed by Hav Group and built at the Tersan Shipyard in Turkey. “It is with great honor we receive the award for
our first ship, Havila Capella, the world’s most environmentally friendly ship. We are looking forward to welcoming 3 identical ships later this year forming an integral part of everyday traffic on the historical coastal route between Bergen and Kirkenes. Sustainability should mirror everything we do from ship design and all other operations, and this is a challenge we do not take lightly. To be awarded with this valuable recognition from the industry is therefore a prestigious moment and proof of that Havila Voyages’ highly innovative ship technology is a frontrunner towards the green transition
of eco-cruiser ships”, says CEO of Havila Voyages, Bent Martini.
Havila Capella is a plug-in hybrid ship with the
world’s largest battery packs designed for passenger
ships.The batteries on board the modern ship allows her to sail for four hours without noise and emissions, meaning she can sail quietly and sustainably through world heritage fjords and pristine surroundings along the Norwegian coastline.
Havila Voyages has spent more than 500 million NOK to make their eco-cruiser ships environmentally friendly, and the battery packs are just one of several measures that cut NOx emissions by around 90 per cent and CO2 emissions by around 25 per cent. In addition, the ships are built to run on biogas, a practically carbon neutral biofuel telling the most impressing attribute of Havila Capella: She is ready to run with zero emissions. The ship is also prepared to run on hydrogen or ammonia and is therefore a ship built for the future. The ships groundbreaking technology is developed in close partnership with Hav Group, Hav Design, Kongsberg Maritime, and scientific networks.
“Havila Food Stories”, the food concept on board, has sustainability as its most important ingredient.
There are no buffets, meaning that guests can enjoy a highly personal Norwegian culinary experience with handpicked Norwegian ingredients from local producers, and a target of maximum 75 grams daily food waste per guest. The concept cuts food waste by a total of 15 tons per ship per year, and to make the ship even more efficient, it has a waste energy recovery system that will make use of the 65 % of fuel energy that is normally lost through the exhaust and cooling water systems. “Every year the debate to select a winner gets more
intense, and 2022 was no exception. It is common knowledge that while fossil fuels will be with us for years to come, there must be a transition to cleaner, more efficient alternatives and the winning vessel is for the moment, powered by the cleanest fossil fuel currently available – LNG but it is intended for future transition to hydrogen when technology and availability permit” says the jury statement from Nor-Shipping. “Norway`s quiet and unspoiled nature, clean water and fresh air is worth taking care of, both for us and the future generations. Because of that, we are focused on green solutions – for those who follow us to be able to experience the same” says Bent Martini, CEO of Havila Voyages.
Manchester City and Etihad Airways install new plastic recycling pods and invites fans to join the sustainability journey whilst visiting the Etihad Stadium
MANCHESTER City and Etihad Airways have announced the installation of new plastic recycling pods outside the Etihad Stadium that aim to inspire fans to make conscious choices and join the sustainability journey.
As part of the airlines Recycle, Reward, Repeat initiative, the pods - which will in place at the stadium from this weekend’s game - will allow fans to recycle plastic bottles and earn exclusive Etihad rewards. Manchester City has made significant steps on its sustainability journey over a number of years, developing and adopting more environmentally friendly practices. These include a managed waste system which means that zero waste is sent to landfill from the Etihad Campus, the removal of single-use plastics from the Etihad Stadium and successful trialling this season of edible coffee cups, increasing vegan food options and switching to compostable packaging amongst much more.
In the spirit of its Choose Well campaign, Etihad Airways has recently launched the Conscious Choices loyalty programme where guests can show their love and care for the planet by making eco-conscious choices. The programme rewards travellers with Tier Miles and additional benefits for carrying less baggage on board
and offsetting their flights’ carbon emissions using Etihad Guest Miles.
In addition to that and after two years of intensive research and development, innovation and transformation through its Greenliner programme to tackle aviation decarbonisation, Etihad Airways in collaboration with Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and Al Jubail Island has launched the Etihad Mangrove Forest. This provides guests, corporate accounts and partners the ability to contribute to the growth and maintenance of mangroves to reduce their carbon footprint.
Using a unique digital platform facilitated by EcoMatcher, the Etihad Mangrove Forest will allow guests and partners to invest in the forest, where the individual trees can be tracked online or through a dedicated app. The guest receives a unique tree code, geolocation, and virtual access to their tree for the next 10 years. The guest can gift the tree to their loved ones and name the tree to create a unique experience and bond.
Pete Bradshaw, Director of Sustainability at Manchester City said: “Manchester City has a clear set of values as we continue on our sustainability journey and look to adopt more environmentally friendly
approaches and connect with our communities to encourage and change behaviours. As an organisation, we have taken significant steps in terms of waste management, consumption, energy efficiency and water use in recent years. We will continue to work towards our goals in this space.
“This latest activation with Etihad Airways is another positive collaboration with one of our Club partners that will hopefully inspire and encourage fans to recycle and raise further awareness of the need to reduce waste across our club, city and planet.”
Mariam Al Qubaisi, Head of Sustainability and Business Excellence, Etihad Airways, said: “Our world is becoming more environmentally conscious by the day. Etihad is proud to play a major part in reducing the environmental impact of the aviation industry to the best of its ability, in the UAE and around the world. We have recorded many great achievements, from our first ecoFlight from Abu Dhabi to Brisbane in 2019, to the recent launch of our Sustainability-focused loyalty programme, Conscious Choices, to reward guests for making sustainable choices when they travel and in their everyday life, and now with the Recycle, Reward, Repeat initiative which we are taking to the Etihad Stadium on derby day and for the remainder of the season.”
4. Bangor Coastal Path, County Down
The picturesque seaside town of Bangor, has a beautiful walk along the coast that brings you to Holywood. With lots of inlets and coves to watch the sunset this is the perfect place to bring a picnic or a bag of fish and chips and watch the world go by.
5. Slieve Binnian, Mourne
Mountains, County Down The Mourne Mountains are stunning in itself but it could be argued Slieve Binnian is the most beautiful, not to mention photographed. Walking up through the Mournes watch the beautiful colours light up the surroundings, you won’t be disappointed when you reach the top overlooking Silent Valley, a hike well worth climbing all before breakfast.
6. Lough Navar Forest, County Fermanagh
With views of Lough Erne, Donegal Bay and the Sperrin Mountains, it’s safe to say this is one of the most picturesque views any time of day, but sunset is a must. They say the hardest climbs have the best views and although there are around 380 steps the view is well worth it. Bring a picnic for a well-earned break and watch the sunset in one of the most beautiful spots on Northern Ireland.
7. Sawel Mountain, County Tyrone Why not hike the highest peak in the Sperrin mountains? Watch the sunrise over Foyle Estuary, Lough Neagh and view the Mournes from underneath. Start the day right taking in the beautiful sunrise. Pack a picnic for a well-earned break at the top or stop in one the nearby surrounding towns for breakfast.
8. Mussenden Temple, Londonderry
County Benone beach is stunning whether its
sunrise or sunset but with the hills of Donegal in its midst, Mussenden Temple and the dramatic coastline this can make for the most perfect picture. An easy walk, even the most avid photographers and sunset chasers will be impressed by its beauty.
Slieve Gullion, County Armagh The Ring of Gullion is not only packed with Irish Mythology but a gorgeous spot to watch the sunrise, not only offering views over three of the counties, Armagh, Down and on a clear day Antrim, you can also see Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains in the distance if you are lucky!
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